Few decisions are harder than realizing it may be time to help a beloved pet pass peacefully.

Maybe your dog can no longer stand.

Maybe your cat has stopped eating.

Maybe your companion has a progressive illness.

Maybe their breathing has changed.

Or perhaps you simply recognize that their quality of life has significantly declined.

So you make the difficult decision to call a veterinarian.

But there's a problem:

You Don't Have a Regular Vet.

Perhaps your pet hasn't been to a veterinarian recently.

Maybe you moved.

Maybe your longtime veterinarian retired.

Maybe your companion has been healthy for years.

Maybe veterinary costs became difficult to manage.

Or maybe you've simply never established an ongoing relationship with a veterinary clinic.

Now you're calling clinics and hearing:

“We're not accepting new patients.”

“Your pet has never been seen here.”

“We only provide euthanasia for established patients.”

At an already heartbreaking moment, that can leave you wondering:

Who will help my pet?

The first thing to understand is:

Different Veterinary Clinics Have Different Policies.

Some veterinary practices limit end-of-life appointments to established patients.

Others may accept a new or non-established patient for an end-of-life examination and possible in-clinic euthanasia.

Emergency veterinary hospitals may have different policies.

Urgent-care veterinary clinics may have different policies.

Community veterinary clinics may have different policies.

And some veterinarians provide in-home euthanasia.

So don't assume that because one clinic says no, every clinic will say no.

Ask a Different Question

This may be one of the most useful things you read on this page.

When you call a veterinary clinic, don't simply ask:

“Are you accepting new patients?”

That's a very broad question.

The receptionist may understandably think you're trying to establish routine veterinary care.

That's not necessarily what you're calling about.

Instead, explain exactly what is happening.

Say:

“My pet isn't an established patient at your clinic, but their quality of life has significantly declined and I believe we may need humane euthanasia. Does your veterinarian see new or non-established patients for an end-of-life examination and possible in-clinic euthanasia?”

That's a completely different question.

It tells the clinic:

This is an end-of-life situation.

Ask These Questions While You Have Them on the Phone

If the clinic says it may be able to help, ask:

“Does the veterinarian need to examine my pet first?”

“Can the examination and euthanasia take place during the same visit if the veterinarian determines euthanasia is appropriate?”

“Do you need my pet's previous veterinary records?”

“Do you have an appointment today?”

“What is the estimated cost of the examination?”

“What is the estimated cost of euthanasia?”

“Is sedation included?”

And if the clinic cannot help:

“Do you know another veterinary clinic nearby that accepts non-established patients for end-of-life care?”

That last question may save you several additional phone calls.

Why Would the Veterinarian Need to Examine My Pet?

Because euthanasia is a veterinary medical procedure.

A veterinarian accepting a pet they've never previously treated doesn't necessarily mean they can simply perform euthanasia without evaluating the animal.

In Georgia, veterinarians must operate within requirements governing the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). Among other requirements, Georgia rules provide that a veterinarian must have sufficient knowledge of the animal to make at least a general or preliminary diagnosis, generally through an examination of the animal within the preceding 12 months or medically appropriate visits to where the animal is kept. (Georgia Rules and Regulations)

That means a clinic may tell you:

“Yes, we'll see your pet, but the veterinarian needs to examine them first.”

That's not necessarily a rejection.

It may simply be the veterinarian appropriately establishing the professional relationship and evaluating your companion before making an end-of-life medical decision.

What If My Pet Hasn't Been to a Veterinarian in Years?

Tell the clinic.

Don't allow embarrassment or fear of judgment to stop you from making the call.

There are many reasons families don't have an established veterinarian.

And the number of American pet owners experiencing barriers to veterinary care is substantial.

The PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study found that 52% of U.S. pet owners reported skipping needed veterinary care, including people who visited a veterinarian but declined recommended care and people who did not visit because of barriers. Among owners who skipped or declined care, financial considerations were the leading barrier. (Gallup.com)

This isn't a problem affecting only a tiny handful of pet owners.

It's a significant national issue.

So if you're sitting beside a beloved 14-year-old dog thinking:

“Nobody is going to help us because we haven't been to the veterinarian recently.”

Don't make that assumption.

A Pet Owner Without a Regular Veterinarian Is Still a Pet Owner Who Needs Help

A missing veterinary relationship doesn't tell the entire story of someone's relationship with their companion.

Maybe your pet has been remarkably healthy.

Maybe you've moved.

Maybe appointments were difficult to find.

Maybe transportation was a problem.

Maybe veterinary costs became unaffordable.

Maybe your pet became extremely stressed during veterinary visits.

Maybe life simply happened.

In fact, the PetSmart Charities-Gallup research found that among pet owners who skipped or declined veterinary care, 71% cited financial considerations as a factor. (PetSmart Charities)

At this moment, the most important question isn't:

“Why didn't you go to the veterinarian last year?”

The immediate question is:

“How do we find appropriate help for this pet now?”

How Do I Find a Vet That Will Euthanize a Pet Without an Existing Patient History?

Start by searching specifically for the service you need.

Instead of searching only:

“Veterinarian near me”

try:

“Pet euthanasia near me no established vet”

“In-clinic pet euthanasia near me”

“Dog euthanasia without regular vet near me”

“Cat euthanasia without veterinarian near me”

“Same-day pet euthanasia near me”

“Veterinarian accepting euthanasia appointments for new patients”

“Emergency pet euthanasia near me”

“Low-cost pet euthanasia near me”

Then:

CALL.

Don't rely exclusively on what a veterinary clinic's website says.

End-of-life policies and appointment availability can vary.

Ask the clinic directly:

“Do you accept non-established patients for an end-of-life examination and possible euthanasia?”

What Information Should I Have Ready?

You don't need your pet's entire medical history memorized.

But it helps to have basic information available:

• Pet's name

• Dog, cat or other species

• Approximate age

• Approximate weight

• Known medical conditions

• Current medications, if any

• Previous veterinarian, if applicable

• When your pet was last examined, if known

• Whether your pet can stand or walk

• Whether your pet is eating and drinking

• Whether breathing appears difficult

• Any known diagnosis

• Whether you believe your pet is currently suffering

If you don't know every answer, that's okay.

Tell the veterinary clinic what you know.

What If I Have Records From Another Veterinarian?

Tell the new clinic.

Ask whether they would like those records transferred before the appointment.

Georgia veterinary rules require veterinary patient records to be made available to an animal's owner upon written request, subject to the rule's requirements. (Georgia Rules and Regulations)

Previous records may help the veterinarian understand your companion's medical history.

But:

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, don't delay emergency veterinary care while waiting for old records.

What If Regular Veterinary Clinics Keep Saying No?

Expand your search.

Contact:

Emergency veterinary hospitals.

Veterinary urgent-care clinics.

Community veterinary clinics.

Nonprofit veterinary programs.

Humane organizations that provide veterinary services.

Mobile or in-home euthanasia veterinarians.

Ask every provider essentially the same question:

“Do you accept non-established patients for end-of-life evaluation and possible euthanasia?”

And when someone says no:

“Can you recommend someone nearby who does?”

Don't be afraid to ask for help finding the next door.

What If My Pet Is Suffering Right Now?

That's different.

If your companion is experiencing a possible medical emergency such as severe difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, repeated seizures, collapse, severe trauma, extreme distress or rapid deterioration, seek emergency veterinary care rather than waiting for a routine euthanasia appointment.

Call the emergency veterinary hospital while preparing to leave when circumstances allow and explain what's happening.

Ask About Price Before You Go

It's okay to ask about money.

In fact, asking beforehand may prevent additional stress once you arrive.

Ask:

“What is the examination fee?”

“What is the euthanasia fee?”

“Is sedation included?”

“Are there additional charges?”

“What is the estimated total before aftercare?”

Then ask:

“Is aftercare separate?”

Because this is where another important decision begins.

Euthanasia and Aftercare Are Two Different Decisions

The veterinarian's responsibility is helping determine what is medically and humanely appropriate for your companion.

If euthanasia is ultimately chosen, the veterinarian helps your companion experience a peaceful passing.

But after your pet has passed, there's another decision:

What happens to my pet afterward?

That's aftercare.

And families deserve to understand that they may have choices.

Depending on availability and applicable requirements, those may include:

Traditional flame cremation.

Cremation by Water / Aquamation.

Private aftercare.

Communal aftercare.

Burial where appropriate and permitted.

Pet cemetery options.

This is important because the veterinary clinic may already have a crematory it routinely works with.

That can be extremely convenient.

But convenience for the clinic and your family's personal preference regarding aftercare are two different considerations.

WEB ADMIN: Prominently internally link this section to our “Do I Have to Use My Veterinarian's Pet Crematory?” cornerstone page.

What If I Don't Want My Pet Cremated With Fire?

This is where Soothing Streams Pet Services becomes particularly important.

Many pet owners still believe cremation automatically means:

Fire.

It doesn't.

There is another option:

Cremation by Water.

Also known as:

Water Cremation.

Aquamation.

Or technically:

Alkaline hydrolysis.

Instead of flame-based combustion, Cremation by Water uses:

Water.

Gentle heat.

Circulation.

Alkalinity.

At Soothing Streams Pet Services, Cremation by Water operates at approximately:

204°F

Traditional flame cremation can involve temperatures approaching:

2,000°F

That's roughly one-tenth the temperature.

For a family uncomfortable with the thought of their beloved companion being burned, that's an enormous distinction.

WEB ADMIN: Prominently link this section to “I Don't Want to Burn My Pet” and “Why Some Pet Owners Don't Want Flame Cremation.”

Do I Get My Pet's Ashes Back With Cremation by Water?

With private Cremation by Water, your companion's processed mineral remains are returned to you.

And there are some notable differences.

Aquamation generally produces more mineral remains than flame cremation.

It also produces mineral remains that are typically lighter and more naturally bone-colored.

Families may see shades such as:

White.

Ivory.

Cream.

Light tan.

A simple way to visualize it is:

Think closer to the natural ivory or off-white color of teeth or bone rather than the charcoal-gray appearance commonly associated with flame cremation.

Why Soothing Streams?

Soothing Streams Pet Services is not a veterinary clinic.

We don't diagnose pets.

We don't provide veterinary treatment.

And we don't perform euthanasia.

Our role begins with:

Aftercare.

From our Lawrenceville, Georgia facility, Soothing Streams specializes in Cremation by Water for beloved companion animals throughout Metro Atlanta.

So if you're trying to solve two problems:

1. “Where can I find a veterinarian willing to help my pet?”

and then:

2. “What happens to my pet afterward?”

Understand that those can be two separate decisions involving two different providers.

The veterinarian provides the medical care.

Soothing Streams can provide the aftercare.

Can My Veterinarian Perform the Euthanasia and Soothing Streams Handle the Aftercare?

Discuss your wishes with the veterinary clinic before your companion is transferred to the clinic's customary aftercare provider.

You can simply tell them:

“We've chosen Cremation by Water with Soothing Streams Pet Services for our pet's aftercare.”

There's no need to criticize the veterinary clinic's crematory.

There's no need to make the situation uncomfortable.

You're simply communicating your family's personal aftercare preference.

Finding In-Clinic Euthanasia in Metro Atlanta Without a Regular Veterinarian

If you're in:

Lawrenceville

Suwanee

Duluth

Buford

Johns Creek

Alpharetta

Norcross

Peachtree Corners

Lilburn

Snellville

Sugar Hill

Gwinnett County

or elsewhere in Metro Atlanta, start contacting veterinary clinics and asking the specific question we've discussed:

“Do you accept non-established patients for an end-of-life examination and possible euthanasia?”

IMPORTANT: Soothing Streams should not publish a statement implying that a particular veterinary clinic accepts non-established euthanasia patients unless that clinic's current policy has been confirmed.

Policies and availability can change.

Don't Wait Until Your Pet Is in Crisis If You Can Avoid It

If your companion's quality of life is declining, beginning the conversation earlier can give you more choices.

If you've noticed significant changes in:

Eating

Drinking

Mobility

Breathing

Comfort

Continence

Interaction

Sleep

or enjoyment of normal activities, consider contacting a veterinarian to discuss your concerns.

You don't have to wait until your companion is experiencing an emergency before asking:

“What are our options?”

Until Someone Tells You...

Maybe your beloved dog hasn't been to a veterinarian in three years.

Maybe your cat has always been healthy.

Maybe you've moved.

Maybe money has been tight.

Maybe your veterinarian retired.

Maybe you simply don't have an established veterinary relationship.

And now your companion's health has declined.

You call one clinic and hear:

“We only provide euthanasia for existing patients.”

Please don't automatically interpret that as:

“Nobody will help my pet.”

Different clinics have different policies.

Change the question.

Don't simply ask:

“Are you accepting new patients?”

Ask:

“Do you accept non-established patients for an end-of-life examination and possible euthanasia?”

And if they don't:

“Can you tell me who does?”

Keep calling.

Your immediate goal is finding a licensed veterinarian willing and able to evaluate your companion and, if medically appropriate, help them experience a peaceful passing.

Then remember:

You still have another choice to make.

What happens afterward?

And that's where Soothing Streams Pet Services can help.

Gentle Cremation by Water

The veterinarian can help your companion experience a peaceful and humane passing.

Then your family can decide how you'd like your beloved companion cared for afterward.

You can learn about your options.

You can ask questions.

You can decide whether you want private or communal aftercare.

You can learn about flame cremation.

You can consider burial where appropriate.

And you can choose:

Cremation by Water.

Water instead of fire.

Approximately 204°F instead of temperatures approaching 2,000°F.

No flame-based combustion of your companion.

More mineral remains returned.

Lighter, natural bone-colored remains.

And a process many families find to be a gentler way of saying goodbye.

At Georgia Rules and Regulations)

What if my pet hasn't seen a veterinarian in several years?

Tell the clinic honestly and ask whether its veterinarian can evaluate your companion as a new patient for an end-of-life situation.

Where can I euthanize my dog if I don't have a veterinarian?

Contact regular veterinary hospitals, emergency hospitals, veterinary urgent-care clinics, community clinics, appropriate nonprofit veterinary programs and in-home euthanasia veterinarians. Ask specifically whether they accept non-established patients for end-of-life evaluation.

Can an emergency veterinarian euthanize my pet?

Emergency hospitals may provide euthanasia when medically appropriate, although policies, capacity and availability vary. If your companion appears to be actively suffering or experiencing a medical emergency, contact an emergency veterinary hospital.

Can I get same-day pet euthanasia?

Some veterinary providers may offer same-day end-of-life appointments, but availability varies. Call and explain that you're seeking an end-of-life examination rather than a routine new-patient appointment.

What if I can't afford euthanasia?

Tell the clinic that cost is a concern and ask about lower-cost services, community resources or nonprofit veterinary programs. Financial barriers to veterinary care are widespread: the PetSmart Charities-Gallup study found 52% of U.S. pet owners had skipped needed veterinary care, and financial considerations were the leading barrier among those who skipped or declined care. (Gallup.com)

Do I have to use the veterinary clinic's crematory afterward?

You can discuss your preferred aftercare arrangements with the veterinary clinic. If you've selected another provider, communicate that decision before your companion is transferred to the clinic's customary aftercare provider.

Does pet cremation have to involve fire?

No. Cremation by Water, also known as Aquamation, uses water, alkalinity, circulation and gentle heat rather than flame-based combustion.

Can I choose Soothing Streams after my veterinarian performs the euthanasia?

You can tell your veterinary clinic you've chosen Soothing Streams Pet Services for Cremation by Water and discuss arrangements before your companion is transferred elsewhere.

Does Soothing Streams perform euthanasia?

No. Soothing Streams Pet Services is a pet aftercare provider, not a veterinary clinic. A licensed veterinarian provides veterinary medical care and euthanasia. Soothing Streams provides Cremation by Water and pet aftercare.